In total, there will only be three crowns in the strictest sense in Westminster Abbey today—each of which features stones whose provenance has caused highly understandable discord. The first is, of course, St Edward’s Crown, created by Royal Goldsmith Robert Vyner for the coronation of Charles II in 1611 and used in the moment of crowning itself. Its design is allegedly based on the crown made for Edward the Confessor in the 11th century—one of many royal objects believed to have been melted down following the execution of Charles I in 1649 and the subsequent establishment of the Commonwealth. Set with rubies, amethysts, garnets, tourmalines, sapphires, and topaz and lined with purple velvet and ermine trim, the 17th-century frame weighs in at nearly five pounds in total. Before her own coronation, the queen would wear St Edward’s Crown at her desk while going through her red state boxes in preparation for the ceremony.
Before leaving Westminster Abbey following the service, however, King Charles III will switch St Edward’s Crown for the Imperial State Crown. Worn by the monarch during the State Opening of Parliament each year, the latter is set with nearly 2,000 diamonds, including the Cullinan II, and a sapphire said to be from a ring belonging to Edward the Confessor.
As for Queen Consort Camilla? Her Majesty will be crowned with Queen Mary’s Crown, designed by Garrard for the 1911 coronation of King George V, which has been set with Cullinan diamonds III, IV and V. The latter two stones were favorites of the late Queen Elizabeth II, which she often wore together in a brooch. Gifted to her by her grandmother, Queen Mary, they were known as Granny’s Chips—a reference to both Mary and the fact that they were “chipped” off the primary Cullinan diamond, the largest ever found. Per Buckingham Palace, this is the first time a Queen has declined to have a crown made specifically for a coronation—a move intended as a gesture towards sustainability.
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